334 WHAT WASHINGTON THOUGHT OF A THIRD TERM. 1796, in which Jay urged continuance in office and said, " remain with us at least while the storm lasts, and until you can retire like the sun in a calm, unclouded evening.” Washington answered him, May 8, "Indeed, the trouble and perplexities which they [the current misrepresentations] occasion, added to the weight of years which have passed over me, have worn away my mind more than my body, and render ease and retirement indispensably necessary to both, during the short time I have to stay here. It would be uncandid therefore, and would discover a want of friendship and confidence (as you have expressed a solicitude for my at least riding out the storm), not to add that nothing short of events, or such imperious circumstances as I hope and trust will not happen, and might render a retreat dishonorable, will prevent the public announcement of it in time to obviate a misapplication of votes at the election in December next upon myself.” (Ford’s Writings of Washington, vol. xin, p. 189.) Two days after this, Washington writes to Hamilton to enlist him in the preparation of the farewell address which finally appeared. And, June 26, he writes to Hamilton again, enumerating imperative reasons, which have no relish of rotation in them, but which,he says, oblige him to retire. " Having from a variety of reasons (among them, a disinclination to be longer buffeted in the public prints by a set of infamous scribblers) taken my ultimate determination to seek the post of honor in a private station, I regret exceedingly that I did not publish my valedictory address the day after the adjournment of Congress. This would have preceded the canvassing for electors which is commencino- with warmth in this state. * * * It o would have removed doubts from the minds of all, and left the field clear to all. It would, by having preceded any unfavorable change in our foreign relations, if any should happen, render my retreat less difficult and embarrassing. And it mijrht have prevented the remark which, more than probable, will follow a late enunciation— namely, that I delayed it long enough to see that the current was turned against me, before I declared my intention to decline.” (Hamilton, vol. vi, p. 522.) Washington’s trouble with Randolph and the contest
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